The American Studies program currently offers a major leading to a bachelor's degree. Most students majoring in American Studies are interested in both analyzing American culture as a whole from multiple perspectives and studying in depth particular problems or themes of individual choice. Reflecting these two interests, the major consists of three parts:
The American Studies program is governed by a committee of faculty from various departments and colleges who also serve as informal advisors. Students should confer with advisors and the program director to plan their studies, which are recorded on official advising forms.
In preparation for the upper division major in American Studies, students are expected to have completed lower division courses appropriate as background to the study of American history, life, and culture. Students planning to major in American Studies should consult the program director for general education and preparatory course recommendations and for assistance in choosing upper-division courses, tracks, and focus.
A minimum of 33 units, distributed as follows:
•Five core courses:
AMST 300; HIST 477A,B; ENGL 270A,B
•Five-course elective pattern:
The student chooses one of the following broad topics or themes and plans with an advisor an elective five-course sequence. To reflect the interdisciplinarity of American Studies, no more than two courses in this sequence can come from any one academic department. Possible tracks include:
A) American Institutions
B) American People
C) Women in America
D) American Environment
E) Arts & Communication in America
F) American Ideas.
In place of one of the above, the student, with the approval of the advisor and program director, may design a sequence of courses (Student-Designed Pattern) focusing on a topic, theme, or problem in which he or she is particularly interested.
Students interested in the interdisciplinary study of American culture may also get a minor in American Studies. It requires a minimum of 18 units, including AMST 300 and HIST 477A, B and 9 more units chosen in consultation with the faculty advisor.
Click here for the American Studies section of the University Catalog.
